Matthew Rhys (The Americans) has been cast in the upcoming Mister Rogers biopic You Are My Friend opposite Tom Hanks (Toy Story) who is playing the adored Rogers, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Rhys will play Tom Junod, the award-winning journalist whose real-life friendship with Rogers inspired the film directed by Marielle Heller (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, The Diary of a Teenage Girl). The film will see the cynical journalist begrudgingly accepting an assignment to write a profile piece on the beloved icon and finds his perspective on life transformed, carrying the potential for a heart-warming story that could rival 2013’s drama Saving Mr. Banks, also starring Hanks.
The screenplay was written by Micah Fitzerman-Blue & Noah Harpster (Transparent, Beautiful Ruins). Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf of Big Beach will produce alongside Youree Henley (The Beguiled, 20th Century Woman). Leah Holzer of Big Beach will executive produce, along with Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster. The project originated from a true story developed by Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster, first appearing on the Black List in 2013
You Are My Friend will hit theaters on October 18, 2019, just in time for early Oscar season.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
